# Does $2000 seem excessive to repair car with water in the gas? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 24, 2020, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902 "2020-01-24T16:05:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2020, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/1 "2020-01-24T16:05:18Z")
A local gas station got water in it’s tanks. Motorists cars started sputtering. Seems like a straight forward repair. Drain the tank, replace the fuel filter, and clear the fault code. Refill with clean gas. Most repair shops have a gas caddy to drain the tank. [https://www.walmart.com/ip/Stark-30Gal-Gas-Caddy-Storage-Tank-Portable-with-Rotary-Pump-and-Hose/137869015](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Stark-30Gal-Gas-Caddy-Storage-Tank-Portable-with-Rotary-Pump-and-Hose/137869015) These people were charged $2000? Why? Were they ripped off? > [@](#): > > Their car dealership provided a fuel sample, which indicated the containment of more water than gas. > > The Bullocks are faced with a nearly $2,000 bill for repairs. They say it’s been a mess finding out who owns the gas station. > **[Residents say contaminated gas at Conway fuel station ruined their cars](https://katv.com/news/local/residents-say-contaminated-gas-at-conway-fuel-station-ruined-their-cars)** > > A case of bad gas has resulted in frustration and hefty bills for a number of Arkansans in the Conway area. The Exxon along Skyline Drive reportedly pumped out contaminated fuel at least up until Monday. "It felt like four flat tires just sputtering... > [@](#): > > KATV spoke with a representative with U.S. Assets over the phone about the situation, explaining that a fuel tanker truck left its cap open, resulting in rainwater to infiltrate the pump system. > > U.S. Assets confirms the Exxon in question is now pumping out normal untainted gas. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2020, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/2 "2020-01-24T16:10:44Z")
Happened to my daughter a couple years back (2012 Honda Civic) and IIRC the bill came in around $1600. A number of fuel/emissions system sensors were ruined and had to be replaced. The station’s insurance picked up the tab. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/3 "2020-01-24T16:15:32Z")
Semi-related - my daughter once pumped regular gas into her diesel car. That was a very expensive repair. I don’t remember the exact amount, but she learned an expensive lesson. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2020, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/4 "2020-01-24T16:26:23Z")
The fuel filter should have protected the motor. The filter clogs easily and the car stops running. We used to add a larger canister fuel filter to catch Contaminants before it reached the smaller factory cartridge filter. Rural gas stations had old underground tanks that often had a little water & rust in the gas. I’m not as familiar with modern cars. I have heard the sensors are easily damaged. ---
**Author:** ![Scoobysnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Scoobysnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scoobysnax)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2020, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/5 "2020-01-24T18:12:15Z")
Seems within reason to me. A simple brake job these days at a dealership is $400-600. Labor alone for that job could be $1,000 plus. Add in parts and disposal of 10-15 gallons of contaminated fuel and you quickly get to an expensive repair. ---
**Author:** ![sjankis630](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ea924/32.png) [@sjankis630](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sjankis630)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2020, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/6 "2020-01-24T21:57:21Z")
> [@](#): > > Semi-related - my daughter once pumped regular gas into her diesel car. That was a very expensive repair. So I guess the diesel tank opening is larger than a regular gas one? I had heard that the diesel pump was wider to prevent a person from putting diesel into a regular gas tank. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2020, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/7 "2020-01-24T22:17:22Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The fuel filter should have protected the motor. > The filter clogs easily and the car stops running. Water will run through a fuel filter just fine. The filter stops solid particles, not fluids. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/8 "2020-01-25T00:00:58Z")
I literally just totaled up the bill for diesel fuel in my tank. The cost for engine diagnostic, fuel filter replacement, fuel tank inspection and cleaning was just under $400. Actually the repair was $325 plus replacement fuel. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/9 "2020-01-25T00:13:27Z")
I can only give my personal experience. My 98 GMC suddenly stopped running. After trying everything I could think of I pulled out some gas and noticed it was probably 25% water. I pumped out as much of it as I could, added a gallon or two and pumped that out. Added a few bottles of Heet, pumped that out, added 5 gallons of gas and it started right up. I was pumping it out using the actual fuel pump to make sure the lines were getting cleared as well. Now, this was on an 98 pick up with 100k on the clock and not a lot left to live for. So even though it was running, it’s not that I spent any more time on it. I certainly could have changed the oil, checked inside the engine for rust. replaced the plugs and fuel filter and probably gone on and on. But it was running and that’s all that really mattered. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/10 "2020-01-25T00:47:25Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > I literally just totaled up the bill for diesel fuel in my tank. The cost for engine diagnostic, fuel filter replacement, fuel tank inspection and cleaning was just under $400. Actually the repair was $325 plus replacement fuel. That’s in the range I expected. Under $500. $2000 is a lot to drain bad gas from a tank. ---
**Author:** ![Flyer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/flyer/32/7298_2.png) [@Flyer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flyer)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/11 "2020-01-25T01:34:49Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > That’s in the range I expected. Under $500. > > $2000 is a lot to drain bad gas from a tank. If merely draining the gas were the only thing involved, yes, it would be a lot. But water can cause damage to other parts of the car. > [@](#): > > Having water in the gas tank is an issue that can cause serious damage to your car. The problem might start with mildly annoying trouble with the performance of the engine and eventually lead to damage so severe that you need a new engine and fuel injectors. [http://www.proctorcars.com/car-performance-issues-happens-car-water-gas-tank/](http://www.proctorcars.com/car-performance-issues-happens-car-water-gas-tank/) > [@](#): > > On top of the hesitation and stalling problems water in your gas creates, you can also do long-term damage to your injectors. Water can cause corrosion inside your fuel system and injectors and keep them from monitoring your fuel delivery rate properly. If left long enough, your injectors can eventually fail altogether, meaning your car won’t start at all. > **[The Problem with Water in Your Gas Tank | Rislone](https://rislone.com/blog/fuel-system/the-problem-with-water-in-your-gas-tank/)** > > Water in your gas. You don’t want it. But…it happens. Due to condensation or leaks at your fuel pump, small amounts of water can collect in your gas tank. While very tiny amounts will generally make it through your fuel system without damage or... > [@](#): > > Water in gasoline doesn’t just cause issues in the cylinder; it can easily damage injectors if it expands rapidly in the injector tip (due to the inherent heat of the injector). And if it sits in the fuel system for a long period of time, it can even cause rust in your fuel system. > **[Water in Gas Tank? Symptoms Explained](https://www.bellperformance.com/blog/water-in-gas-tank-symptoms)** > > Check out these water in gas tank symptoms and troubleshoot your fuel related problems. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/12 "2020-01-25T05:22:40Z")
You really don’t want this to happen to your airplane. Even a partially empty tank can collect some water. The airspace at the top of a partly empty tank can have some water vapor which condenses at night and contaminates the fuel. Smart pilots ALWAYS do a pre-flight inspection, and this includes draining an ounce or so of gas from the bottom of the tank (there’s a valve there just for that purpose), and looking at that gas to see if there’s any water in it. It’s very visible if there is. Water is heavier than gas, so it will collect at the lowest point in the tank, and that’s where the valve is. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2020, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-2000-seem-excessive-to-repair-car-with-water-in-the-gas/846902/13 "2020-01-25T06:58:40Z")
Back in the early 90’s, I got a bad tank of gas at a 7-11 (it was kinda like Napalm) and pulled out of the lot and the car pinged so bad it broke rings and toasted the engine. There were tow trucks pulling cars out of there for hours. Long story short, Southland Corp. had to pay to have my engine rebuilt. Well over $2k, even back then, but it wasn’t a Hyundai. Now, I told that story so I could tell you this one, mainly Why I Hate Andre Agassi… I’m there in the shop, trying to spur these guys into getting my car back on the road, lots of delays, yada yada yada… Then Andre pulls up in his Testarossa. And I’m going to use the word ‘literally’ correctly here. The guy working on my car _literally_ dropped his tools, making a nice clanging sound on the ground to race over and see what he needed. All progress on my car ceased for the day, or week or whatever. It was a Saga. Anyway. I hate Andre Agassi.